Independent Living Specialist

Mission Statement

The Children’s Network of Hillsborough is committed to working with the community to protect children and preserve families.

 

General Purpose of Job

1. Assist in the implementation of Quality Management system
2. Develop and implement System of Care (SOC) policies and procedures
3. Prepare and analyze monthly management and performance reports
4. Complete the State and Federal reporting process
5. Complete System of Care training programs
6. Identify System of Care needs and provide technical assistance to supply them
7. Deliver services that assure the safety, permanency, and well being of children in the care of the Children’s Network of Hillsborough
8. Provide performance assessment and feedback at provider Team Meetings
9. Perform programmatic monitoring of contracts
10. Track and report incidents and complaints

 

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Participate in implementation of Quality Management System

• Participate in development of Independent Living policies and procedures
• Provide subject matter expertise around EGAP, EFC, PESS and Aftercare
• Participate in Quality Review and identification of trends
• Facilitate Independent Living training throughout the system of care
• Monitor Independent Living activities for youth 13-18 and ensure compliance with state, federal and policy standard
• Monitor and tracking of IL activities and assessments to ensure compliance with state requirements
• Implement and maintain Quality Improvement systems to:
  • Comply with Performance Improvement Plan (PIP)
  • Meet goals or improve current performance by 2%
  • Increase performance by 5% over current base

Develop and implement System of Care procedures

• Develop new policies and procedures as needed
• Review existing policies and procedures to ensure consistency and compliance with Federal, State, Region and Local laws/mandates/policies/procedures as well as the agency’s SOC.
• Maintain electronic / hard copy of approved policies and procedures
• Stay current with Federal and State Laws, rules and best practices

Performance Reporting

• Prepare and analyze monthly management and performance reports
• Provide analysis utilizing FSFN reports

 

State and Federal Reporting

• All State and Federal reporting requirements will be met in a timely manner, including:
  • AFCAR error reports
  • Independent Living Spending Plan
  • Independent Surveying Instruments (e.g., NYTD, Checklist etc.)
  • Other Reports as required

Training

• Participate in all certification / training necessary for the fulfillment of job responsibilities
• Assure Child Professional certification is kept current.
• Disseminate information from statewide/region meetings/conference calls to local staff to assure best practices are being implemented
• Identify SOC training needs and resources
• Coordinate training with Staff Development Unit

Technical Assistance

• Identify technical assistance needs
• Provide technical assistance on federal and state laws, rules, and programmatic and procedural issues
• Provide programmatic expertise for CMO Staff, External and Internal Customers re: independent living services and processes.

Role of the Quality Management Specialist when conducting staffings of any type:

• Whenever possible, review relevant case information in advance to gain knowledge of the most current issues (Clerk of Court, FSFN, ASK etc.)
• Maintain a professional demeanor at all times
• Maintain neutrality without alliance to any of the parties
• Engage all attendees’ participation in the meeting by requesting their perspective on the matters being discussed
• Listen objectively and consider all opinions provided
• Step in and mediate immediately if there are obvious personal attacks
• Be flexible and balance the need for participation with the need to keep things running efficiently and within the allotted timeframe
• Pay attention to group behavior, both verbal and non-verbal
• Recommendations / plans that are developed must be aligned with statute, code, policy and require either consensus by all participating attendees or approval by the court

Deliver services that assure the safety, permanency and well being of children

• Act as a liaison between DCF, lead agency and CMO’s to ensure youth are linked for all services and supports.
• Participate in hearings as a representative of the Children’s Network.
• Ensure 100% of children who are under a Independent Living have services in place consistent with the Independent Living continuum of services.   
• Conduct Quality Management Review on specific cases per directive of QM Director, COO, CEO

Team Meetings

• Participate in Case Management Organization Team Meetings and others relevant to area of expertise.
• Provide performance report and assessment of improvement initiatives.

Other duties may be assigned as special projects may be requested

 

Working Hours

Children’s Network of Hillsborough’s standard business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This position is an in-office based position that averages 40 hours per week. Work hours may vary outside of these standard hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed to meet operational demands. All hours worked will be compensated in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and agency policies, including applicable overtime and other compensation requirements.

 

Travel

Travel within and outside of Hillsborough County is required.

 

Training

All employees are required to complete fifteen (15) hours of training annually, which may be completed online or in a classroom setting. Employees who hold a credential or license relevant to their position must ensure that all training and continuing education requirements are met to maintain their credential or licensure.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities. 

 

Education and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social work, sociology or related human services degree. 
• Official transcripts are a mandatory requirement
• Certification as a credentialed Child Welfare Case Manager preferred. A minimum of two years experience in child welfare is preferred with extensive knowledge of Independent Living services and requirements.

Skills and Abilities

Exceptional leadership and communication skills, fostering collaboration across all organizational levels. Possess a strong aptitude for analytical thinking and data-driven decision-making, they excel at solving complex problems and implementing effective solutions. Proficient in project management, they adeptly handle multifaceted initiatives, ensuring deadlines are met and budgets are maintained. Highly adaptable to fast-paced and dynamic environments, they prioritize tasks efficiently while leveraging operational software and tools to enhance productivity. Strategic planning expertise and a commitment to fostering teamwork enable them to drive organizational success.

 

Pre-employment Requirements

Certificates, License, Registrations, backgrounds, drug screens, Etc.

• Valid driver’s license required, with proof of insurance
• Driver’s license check is a requirement
• Criminal background screening (fingerprinting) (Local Law Enforcement and FBI/FDLE)
• Drug Screening is a requirement
• Children’s Network participates in E-Verify

 

Other Requirements

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, board of directors, clients, customers, and the general public. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees.

 

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, percentages, ability to draw and interpret bar graphs.

 

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to be proactive, as well as handle problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

This job requires the ability to sit for extended periods; walk; stand; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel or crouch; talk and hear.  This job requires visual acuity sufficient to read and to operate standard modern office machines.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

 

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

This is administrative work in an indoor office environment with a moderate noise level (business machines, printers, computers, telephones).

 

ADA:   Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

 

EEO:  Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, religion, veteran status, or disability in employment, in provision of services, or in access to programs.

 

Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC is a Drug-Free Workplace.

 

Remember:  If you are currently an employee of Children’s Network of Hillsborough Florida, LLC, or one of our Case Management Organizations, it is necessary that you notify your current Supervisor, prior to applying.